Hill Country Heat & Humidity (Austin, New Braunfels: house, live, swimming)

[resetforlife]

I am from Wisconisn and am considering relocating to Texas. I am particularly attracted to the hill country or nearby. I am attracted to New Braunfels/ San Marcos area...

I am looking for a more arid environment.

My main concern in watching the temperatures there is the heat/humidity. I don't mind heat as long as the humidity factor is low. I have noticed that it is over 90 degrees continually from spring through summer into fall...That's alot of high temps...

Sweatin' bullets isn't appealing to me!

I wonder how folks there cope with this day in day out? I love the outdoors, and do not want to be trapped inside....

[SophieElla]

Hello, I lived in Chicago for most of my life, and then Florida and now (2 years) in Austin. Chicago had some humid summers (probably like Wisconsin), and Florida was humid year round. When I came to Austin, I personally did not find it to be humid in the summer but many Austinites I have spoken to thought the summer humidity was unbearable. In winter, and most of fall and spring, it is very, very dry- but again, I was used to the Florida humidity. I do believe you will be sweating bullets outside from some of May through most of September -with or without the humidity. It gets HOT here every single day through most of those months. I know Wisconsin has some hot summer days, but nothing compares to getting beaten down by this heat day in and day out. I think most people here deal with it by swimming in lakes/springs/pools or staying inside. So you may very well find yourself trapped inside, as you fear, during most of the summer. However, fall , winter, and spring (if you can actually call them distinct seasons here) are very bearable and most days are very nice to spend outdoors. The "cold" days here won't compare to Wisconsin winters, so you won't have issues with those days. Just my opinion... I'm sure you'll hear more from Texas natives who have more experience with this weather.

[S6Sputnik]

Temps are in the high 90's and low 100's for a while, but it is not too humid. people golf, play tennis, run, play basketball etc outside all summer long.

That said this year is hotter and less humid than last year!

[car957]

We currently are enjoying Blues on the Green on Wednesday's nights and Unplugged at the Grove on Thursday nights. The first hour can be a little uncomfortable if you are not hydrated - otherwise, we have the best live music.

This weekend it was hot but with the wind and some sweat, it's comfortable.

Last year was a dream compared to this summer.

[atxcio]

This year is particularly hot, way above average. If it continues in this mode, it will easily be the hottest summer on record, I think. Still, I do enjoy outdoor activities like running and biking in the heat... I mean, you're going to sweat anyway, and when you finish... believe me, it doesn't feel hot anymore.

But if you're walking around during the day in work clothes, or have to get into a hot car... yeah, it's miserable.

[car957]

1998 was way hotter folks. We're doing fine this season.

atxcio is right - we live for our showers.

[centralaustinite]

Austin averages nearly 100 days a year with temps over 90. So yes it is hot! And unlike the midwest it does not cool off at night, very common for the weather forecast in July to be high 97, low 77, day after day.

How to survive? Get an energy efficient house with good AC and insulation. Nearly all cars here have heavy window tinting -- it makes a huge difference. Try to avoid the outdoors between 3 pm and 5 pm. Drink lots of water.

Austin really thins out during August before the students arrive. Many folks leave town then but I kinda like it, the heat is something to survive like cold winters are up north but as someone here said, no matter how hot it gets, you never have to shovel it!

My biggest shock when I moved here from the midwest many many years ago was how September is very much a summer month and October can be too. It is reliably hot here from April/May to October.

And car957, yes 98 was plenty hot! My worst summer was 2001 -- pregnant, car without tinted windows or a garage, and that relentless heat with 116 on Sept 12! Ugh. This is nothing (but quite a contrast to last year, our "Seattle summer" in Austin I actually missed the heat and sun.

[jread]

It's usually dry in Central Texas when the temps get really high. I spent all weekend outdoors and didn't sweat very much at all, but I was very dehydrated. Your body is perspiring but it's evaporating off of you quickly. The main advantage to the summers here is that you can get away from the heat if you're in the shade or indoors. It's much worse in humid cities where the humidity cannot be escaped. Just make sure to drink plenty of water and don't stay in the direct sun all the time, and you'll live through it.

Make no mistake about it, though, summer in Austin is absolutely brutal and lasts for months on end. Don't expect for your lawn to stay green or to be able to open your windows at night. It is HOT and it gets really old after months of 100+ temps and absolutely no rain at all. It's always this time of year that I start searching for other cities to relocate to.